Synthesis, Physicochemical, and Tribological Characterization of Nano Lubricant Contained Cu Nanocolloid as Additive

Abstract

Monocrystalline Cu nanocolloid with 4.3 nm average particle size and 2.3～9.5 nm particle size distribution was successfully synthesized in situ by liquor-phase reduction synthesis, using copper acetate tetrahydrate as precursor, ascorbic acid as reductant, polyethylene sorbitan monooleate （Tween-80） as modifier, and liquid paraffin as solvent. The as-prepared copper nanocolloid was characterized by XRD, SAED, and TEM. Nano-lubricating oil with excellent dispersibility, chemical stability, and compatibility with other additives verified by TG-DSC, was achieved via adding as-prepared nano-copper into Mobil 1 5w-30 lubricating oil. The nano-lube’s physiochemical properties were characterized according to Chinese national standard. The tribological behavior of nano-lubricant was investigated on ball-on-disk UMT-Ⅱ tribometer and four-ball tribometer. The worn surface morphology was analyzed by means of SEM and EDS. Experimental results show as follows. The Mobil 1 5w-30 lube’s tribological property is markedly enhanced with the as-prepared copper nanocolloid as its additive. The as-prepared nano-Cu agglomerate discontinuous deposited, extrude, melt, spread, and form a film in micro-defects on the worn surfaces, then improve the friction-reducing, anti-wear ability, extreme pressure value, and extreme working ability of Mobil 1 5w-30 lubricant.